The pregnant mother

Rubella, in the main, causes a mild and insignificant rash illness that is spread through droplets. Click here for further general information about the rubella infection.

Rubella in pregnant women can be a very serious disease as it puts the unborn baby at significant risk of congenital abnormalities. If a pregnant woman is infected with rubella for the first time during her first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the transmission rate from mother to foetus is very high, at around 85%. Infection during this time can result in spontaneous abortion or severe congenital defects in any surviving baby. The risk of transmission of the infection from mother to baby is unlikely if the mother is infected before or within 11 days of her last menstrual period. The risk of severe or fatal consequences is reduced if the mother is infected after the 16th week of the pregnancy.

A pregnant woman infected with rubella in the first trimester of pregnancy should be given information and support. Some may request that the pregnancy be terminated.

The MMR vaccine is ensuring that most women in this country are immunised against rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome is therefore uncommon. However rubella in pregnancy can still occur, particularly in women arriving in this country from areas where immunisation is less common, for example Asia.

Guidelines on the management of and exposure to rash illness in pregnancy (including rubella) are housed on the Health Protection Agency website. The Health Protection Agency also has a specific area on its site dedicated to the guidance on the management of rash illness and exposure to rash illness and pregnancy. Click here for further information.

The newborn baby

This content is not intended nor does it replace individual professional advice. Please contact a healthcare professional or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 46 47) NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) or NHS 24 in Scotland (08454 24 24 24).